LIP Construction Ltd, Christmas Party Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:36 | Winning time: 5m 39.1s

Captain Tom Cat³²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: Cillin Leonard⁽⁵⁾| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 130| D

10/3

Quite useful hurdler who developed into a pretty smart chaser in the first half of last season, winning 4 times. Has a lower mark to work with back hurdling and it'll be interesting to see what the betting makes of him

Form: 11541F-

Dr Sanderson³²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: R P McLernon| T: B Haslam| OR: 127| D

10/1

Has added 2 more chase wins at Cartmel this summer. In contention when unseating at the last back there since. Hasn't been seen over hurdles since spring 2019.

Form: 6-6211U

Coolbane Boy¹²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: C O'Farrell| T: A M Thomson| OR: 124

6/1

Much improved when defying 4 lb lower mark at Musselburgh (3m) on New Year's Day and just as good when second at Perth in the spring. Ran poorly at Cartmel when last seen in May, though.

Form: 7/71P2-8

Willaston^p,t³²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: M Walford| OR: 122| D

6/4

Placed twice in handicaps in Ireland this summer and took another step forward when narrowly denied in 25f Cartmel handicap on yard debut 32 days ago. Pulled well clear of the third so a 3 lb rise looks more than fair. Cheekpieces back on. Leading claims if as effective back at shorter.

Form: 663822

Jersey Wonder^p³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: J J Burke| T: O Sherwood| OR: 121

3/1

Cashed in on a falling mark when accounting for his two rivals at Fontwell in May. Has remained in form since, athough latest Worcester fourth in a first-time visor was rather laboured. Cheekpieces go back on now.

Form: 512534

Non-Runners

Faron³⁹

Weight: 11-7| Age: 4

T: Mrs A Duffield J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Willaston (6/4), Jersey Wonder (3/1), Captain Tom Cat (10/3), Faron (4/1), Coolbane Boy (6/1), Dr Sanderson (10/1)

Quite a useful handicap. WILLASTON gets the nod to build on a promising first run for Mark Walford. Market confidence behind the returning Captain Tom Cat would make him a possible big threat as he's rated 15 lb lower over hurdles than fences.